MacComparisonZone: 15 Inch G4/1.25 GHz PowerBook vs 15 Inch G4/1.33 GHz PowerBook - What Are The Performance, Feature And Price Differences
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Introduction
7/14/04
This Buyer's Guide compares the 15 Inch G4/1.25 GHz PowerBook which has the SuperDrive optical drive, to the 15 Inch G4/1.33GHz PowerBook, which has the Combo optical drive.
The 125GHz machine was released in September of 2003. At the time is was a middle model of a family of four, which included a 1.33 GHz 17 Inch machine, a 1GHz 15 Inch machine, and a 12 inch PowerBook running at 1GHz.
The current 1.33 GHz 15 Inch PowerBook was released in April, 2004 ... 8 months later. It is also a middle model of a family of four, which includes a 1.5GHz 17 inch PowerBook, a 1.5 GHz 15 Inch machine, and a 12 inch PowerBook running at 1.33GHz
Major Technological Difference:
Processor Speed
Weight
(Minor)
Battery Life
Current Price Difference:
$300
Graphics Card
Hard Drive Size
Optical Drive Type/Speed
Backlit Keyboard Option
Below you will find specifications and features, performance, and price comparisons. We also provide further links where you can do additional research, should you so wish.
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2 USB 2.0 Ports (480 Mbps)
1 FireWire Port (400 Mbps)
1 FireWire 800 Port
Audio in & out
Bluetooth 1.1 built in
Video
15.2-inch (diagonal) TFT active-matrix
1280 by 854
2048 x 1536 support on external display
DVI output port
ADC output using optional Apple DVI to ADC Adapter
VGA output using included DVI to VGA adapter
S-video output port
Composite video output using included S-video to composite adapter
Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports up to 1280 by 854 pixels on the built-in display and up to 2048 by 1536 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
15.2-inch (diagonal) TFT
1280 x 854
2048 x 1536 support on external display
DVI output port
ADC output using optional Apple DVI to ADC Adapter
VGA output using included DVI to VGA adapter
S-video output port
Composite video output using included S-video to composite adapter
Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports up to 1280 by 854 pixels on the built-in display and up to 2048 by 1536 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
Specification Notes
Has third speaker for midrange
Audio line in
Illuminated fiber-optic, backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor
Has third speaker for midrange
Audio line in
Optional Illuminated fiber-optic, backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor
Clocked at just about 7% faster the 1.33 GHz PowerBook turns in just about 7% better performance in basic processor work.
The graphics card on the 1.33 GHz inch machine is clearly faster than the one in the 1.25 GHz PowerBook
In drive performance the PowerBooks are pretty evenly matched
In CD Burning we noted the faster machine turning in a lower score than the slower PowerBook with the slower SuperDrive. We would like to see this difference confirmed elsewhere, as it is contrary to what we expected.
Graphics (Card) Test is based on CineBench 2003. In this type of image rendering, the graphics card takes the lead
Graphics (Processor) Test is based on CineBench 2003. In this type of image rendering, the processor takes the lead
Graphics Gaming (Card) Test is based on the game 4x4 EVO2 .. a racing game. All settings are at highest quality. This game is more graphics card dependent
Graphics Gaming (Processor) Test is based on the game Giants.. All settings are at highest quality. This game is more processor dependent ... will also make used of dual processors if present
The 'General Interface' test is based on Let1kWindowsBloom, which is freely available.
The Photoshop (Workflow) score is based on the BareFeats Photoshop Action Script, which you can download and run on your own machine, if you have Photoshop.
Battery Life was tested by playing a DVD movie on the fully charged machine until it was completely drained.
Have questions about the performance of these machines?
For more detailed performance results see this page
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For Latest up-to-date prices check the online Buyer's Guides
Base Machine HP Photosmart 7660 inkjet photo printer, $50 after rebate ($129 up front) HP DeskJet 5150 inkjet printer, free after rebate ($89 up front) HP PSC 2410 Multifunction Printer ($299 up front) PSC 2175 all-in-one, $100 after rebate ($179 up front) HP DeskJet 5850 Wireless Inkjet Printer ($149 up front) DeskJet 5650 inkjet printer, $30 after rebate ($129 up front)
Base Machine HP Photosmart 7660 inkjet photo printer, $50 after rebate ($129 up front) HP DeskJet 5150 inkjet printer, free after rebate ($89 up front) HP PSC 2410 Multifunction Printer ($299 up front) PSC 2175 all-in-one, $100 after rebate ($179 up front) HP DeskJet 5850 Wireless Inkjet Printer ($149 up front) DeskJet 5650 inkjet printer, $30 after rebate ($129 up front)
PowerMax does not provide availability information online...
G4 PowerBooks 15 Inch
Titanium PowerBook G4/400 ... Original price: $2,599
PowerMax - Used... $1,388 to $1,399 .... 90 day warranty .... Shipping $19. Tax: None ...Trade-in Program
Titanium PowerBook G4/500 ... Original price: $3,499
PowerMax - Used...$1,388 to $1,395 .... 90 day warranty .... Shipping $19. Tax: None ...Trade-in Program ... Bundled Extras
Small Dog - Used $699 to $829 ... 90 day warranty ... Shipping $25. Tax: VT
Titanium PowerBook G4/550 ... Original price: $2,199
PowerMax - Used...$1,449 to $1,499 .... 90 day warranty .... Shipping $19. Tax: None ...Trade-in Program ... Bundled Extras
Small Dog - Used $869 ... 90 day warranty ... Shipping $25. Tax: VT
PowerBook 15in G4/667 ... Original price: $2,499
PowerMax - Used...$1,588 to $1,649 .... 90 day warranty .... Shipping $19. Tax: None ...Trade-in Program ... Bundled Extras
Small Dog - Used $919 ... 90 day warranty ... Shipping $25. Tax: VT
Titanium PowerBook G4/800 ... Original price: $3,199
PowerMax - Used... $1,749 .... 90 day warranty .... Shipping $19. Tax: None ...Trade-in Program ... Bundled Extras
Small Dog - Used $1,149 ... 90 day warranty ... Shipping $25. Tax: VT
PowerBook 15in G4/867/combo ... Original price: $2,299
Small Dog - Used $1,249 ... 90 day warranty ... Shipping $25. Tax: VT
PowerBook G4 1GHz/256MB/60GB/Combo/GigE/15"TFT ... Original price: $1,999
Apple Store - Refurbished $1,499 .... one year warranty.... Shipping Free. Tax: All states with sales tax
Apple Store - New $1,799 .... one year warranty.... Shipping Free. Tax: All states with sales tax
ClubMac - New $1,794 .... one year warranty .... Shipping Free. Tax: CA, TN, WI ... Bundled Extras
MacConnection - (search for item M8980LL ) ... New $1,794 ... one year warranty .... Shipping Free Tax: MA, NC, OH, TN ... Bundled Extras
MacMall - (search for item M8980LL ) ... Open Box $1,680 .... 90 day warranty.... Shipping Free. Tax: CA, TN, WI ... Bundled Extras
MacMall - New $1,794 .... one year warranty.... Shipping Free. Tax: CA, TN, WI ... Bundled Extras
MacZone - New $1,795 .... one year warranty.... Shipping Free. Tax: CA, IL, MO, NV, OH, TN, WA ... Bundled Extras
PowerBook G4 1GHz/512MB/60GB/SuperDrive/GigE/15"TFT #M8859LL/A ... Original price: $2,599
PowerMax - Used... $1,899 .... 90 day warranty .... Shipping $19. Tax: None ...Trade-in Program ... Bundled Extras
Small Dog - Used $1,449 to $1,499 ... 90 day warranty ... Shipping $25. Tax: VT
Small Dog - Refurbished $1,799 ... one year warranty ... Shipping $25. Tax: VT
PowerBook G4 1.25GHz/512MB/80GB/SuperDrive/AP Extreme Card/GigE/15"TFT #M8981LL/A ... Original price: $2,599
Apple Store - Refurbished $1,899 .... one year warranty.... Shipping Free. Tax: All states with sales tax
Apple Store - New $2,299 .... one year warranty.... Shipping Free. Tax: All states with sales tax
ClubMac - New $2,294 .... one year warranty .... Shipping Free. Tax: CA, TN, WI ... Bundled Extras
MacConnection - (search for item M8981LL/A ) ... New $2,294 ... 1 year warranty .... Shipping Free Tax: MA, NC, OH, TN ... Bundled Extras
MacMall - New $2,294 .... one year warranty.... Shipping Free. Tax: CA, TN, WI ... Bundled Extras
MacZone - New $2,295 .... one year warranty.... Shipping Free. Tax: CA, IL, MO, NV, OH, TN, WA ... Bundled Extras
Small Dog - Refurbished $1,899 ... one year warranty ... Shipping $25. Tax: VT
Small Dog - Refurbished $1,929 ... one year warranty ... Shipping $25. Tax: VT
Small Dog - New $2,249 ... one year warranty ... Shipping $25. Tax: VT
PowerBook 15" 1.33GHz 256 60 Combo 56K #M9421LL/A ... Original price: $1,999
Small Dog - Refurbished $1,829 ... one year warranty ... Shipping $25. Tax: VT
PowerBook 15.2" G4/1.5GHz 512MB 80GB SuperDrive #M9422LL/A ... Original price: $2,499
MacConnection - (search for item M9422LL ) ... Refurbished $2,349 ... 90 day warranty .... Shipping Free Tax: MA, NC, OH, TN ... Bundled Extras
Small Dog - Refurbished $2,255 ... one year warranty ... Shipping $25. Tax: VT
Shipping charges are to California - your mileage may vary. Also prices quoted are for the bare machine and do not reflect RAM installation charges (usually $40), nor the in-store prices of add-on products for which there is a rebate. Shipping charges (if any) for bundled products , also are not reflected in the prices above.
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MacComparisonZone: 15 Inch G4/1.25 GHz PowerBook vs 15 Inch G4/1.33 GHz PowerBook - What Are The Performance, Feature And Price Differences
Major Technological Difference:
- Available
- Unknown/Delay
- Unavailable
Base Machine
HP Photosmart 7660 inkjet photo printer, $50 after rebate ($129 up front)
HP DeskJet 5150 inkjet printer, free after rebate ($89 up front)
Titanium PowerBook G4/400 ... Original price: $2,599
